Collembolan Reproduction Test in Soil (OECD TG 232)
The Collembolan Reproduction Test according to OECD TG 232 is a chronic soil ecotoxicity study designed to assess the effects of chemicals on the survival and reproductive performance of springtails (Collembola), which are key soil-dwelling arthropods contributing to nutrient cycling and soil structure.
In this study, adult collembolans are exposed to a range of concentrations of the test substance incorporated into natural or artificial soil under controlled laboratory conditions for a period of typically 28 days. Endpoints monitored include adult survival, reproduction (number of juveniles produced), and population growth.
Concentration–response relationships are established, and key endpoints such as the No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) and the Lowest Observed Effect Concentration (LOEC) for survival and reproduction are derived.
This test provides essential data for evaluating the ecological risks of chemicals to soil invertebrates, supporting regulatory risk assessments and sustainable soil ecosystem management.
